THE JOURNEY FOR HOPE

I almost always set expectations on myself regardless of what some may see as unlikely. As a result, I often stress myself out and push myself to be the best I can be. This leads me to feel overwhelmed and even burned out at times. My mental health was at its worst during 2020, and those expectations are one of the reasons. I hope to correct that in 2021. I don’t think it’s necessary to explain why 2020 encouraged the negative energy that was within me, and some of those unfortunate and unwanted issues are still occurring. But “hope” is the word that comes to mind when I think about my plans for 2021 and the years to come.

I dream of becoming an influential artist and writer, and I often ask myself a question. “This dream is what I want in life, but what does it mean when you live those dreams without the people you love?” That question is so important. I take great pride in my family. I also take pride in where I come from, and I don’t care how big or small it is, because it’s home. Family has always been and will always be a symbol of hope for me. The idea that I represent my relatives and where I come from with my dreams keeps me going when things are difficult.

I’ll look at the year 2021 as a time of recovery and hope, a chance to ensure wellness both mentally and physically. There are two common phrases that are very popular at the start of each new year: “This will be my year” and “New year, new me.” I believe in both statements, because if it’s not my year then whose year is it going to be? If I don’t grow, the year was new, but was I?

The main thing I need for my own benefit this year is a way to not let the unfortunate majority of my thoughts get to me. As I mentioned before, I have always struggled with my mental health. In my poetry, I often refer to trauma and emotions as demons or beasts, or simply roadblocks. Those symbols mean much more than adjectives and nouns in my work. It means that I acknowledge every mental health struggle that I’ve experienced so far and the possibilities of experiencing more on my pathway to success. Not only have I acknowledged, I learned that mental health and the effects that are inflicted must be taken seriously as it’s crucial to my everyday life. It’s essential in my eyes for those who may not understand certain struggles to realize that their comprehension isn’t necessary. It always helps to just be there and support them through the rough however possible. Everyone has their own preferences, but I prefer to open up when ready without pressure from others and to focus on being positive first no matter how hard that challenge can sometimes be.

Those battles can be endless. They can bring you down when you’re up. They can be so dangerous that they can even make you judge yourself too frequently or, even worse, turn on yourself. With all those poems and dreams among every intrusive and saddening thought, I often find myself distracted in the most negative of ways. It made me realize that life is like a roller coaster. It’s a hell of a ride and there will be times when you're rising up and times when you're descending. Happiness is what everyone wants, and it comes in ways we sometimes never expect just like any other emotion. The way I see it, if I find a way to heal quicker than I think I ever could, then that may very well become my first step to my own happiness.

Writing has always been a fascination to me and even more so nowadays. Thankfully, I have my own platform called Parker Broome Entertainment. It's not at all a creative name, but it is not about the name because what matters most is the passion. Also it’s not well known, but known by very few. Of course I want a much larger audience and to further expand it, but being known at all is something to always remember. Over time, I have learned a very important lesson thanks to this passion - growth is power. Every roadblock and struggle fades away for just a short period of time, which allows me to do my best work, and no one could ever tell me that my work won’t pay off. As a writer, I will forever be my greatest critic. That may be a problem with my mental health but it makes for some good work and good work always pays off.

In 2021, I will surround myself with the most ambition I’ve ever experienced. I’ll never give up on my dreams when times are tough, no matter if I have to face many odds against me. I will heal by opening up when needed. I will acknowledge my weaknesses as I embrace my strengths on my way to growing stronger. In 2021, I will focus on the things that matter most in my life.

Hope is the word I’m using to describe 2021. But without a chance to further my growth, healing, my dreams, and my relationships with friends and family, I may as well refer to 2021 as 2020 part 2 and accept that maybe 2020 was the beginning of a saga.